The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-11-12
Storytelling.

In all ages ana In all landS the art
ofnarratlng story by word of mouth
or by the ready pen has been prac.
ticed, and a few individuals among
the rest of mankind have been gifted
with this faculty, which they have
exercised in preparing food for the
fancy of their hearers or readers in
fable, epic, or the modern novel.
These are akin to the artist who diff
fers from the mere portrait painter
The last named can produce a re-
semblance which may be perfect in
light and shade. and even in express
sion; but though this may give US
pleasure it does not stir in us the adj
| miration that we award to one who
can produce situation calling forth
our emotions. The faculty which can
produce this is much more rarely
met with.
A we'll told tale is as rare as per-
feet day. 1t is the result of happy in
fiuences, and, like a we'll developed
man or woman, requires favorable
circumstances for its development. 1t
owes much of its interest to the Ian
guage used in telling and the skill
with which it is illustrated, as in the
plays of Shakespeare. The plots of
many of these plays are not original,
but the way in which the author has
made. from what were originally but
phantoms, galleries of life-like fig
ures. is striking proof of his power.
A similar effect is often produced by
writers of tales.
Ii shows great merit in story
when the incidents of it linger in the
memory. "Silas Manner" by George
Eliot, is remarkable instance of this
quality. Any one who has read this
tale must have noted the ease with
which each incident may be recalled,
even a long time after it has been
read and this characteristic seems to
result from its being free from super
fiuous matter, from the way in which
the main incidents are grouped, and
from the beauty and simplicity of the
tout ensemble.
Love and war. with the troubles
resulting therefrom. form the mate
rails of most of the ancient stories,
while the situations of the modern
novels are the results of complicated
difficulties incident to more adj
vanced state of civilization. Life
abounds In incidents for the modern
tale writer. There are many people
who confine their generosity to what
they consider their own class, and
who spend time and money in deeds
of charity. yet think nothing oil
wounding the feelings of those little
. beneath them in rank. They are
kind after their own fashion, but
would sacrifice their dearest friends
rather than lose an inch of their hard.
, won social station, Such people are
common both in real life and in noy'
els, and when the story of their do
} ings is well told it excites 10 the
reader much interest.
; To read good story has SIMILAR
| effect to spending a few hours in
, pleasant company; it cheers and re-
J lieves the mind ; the small trouble:
= that may have vexed lose their hold
upon US, and when we return TO then
: we are so refreshed and iDvigoratet
by the action of change that they
weigh but lightly upon us. Some
: times an incident recalls to our mem
e cries some of the pleasures and pains
s of that brief season of early youth
: of which we all like to prolong thu
r remembrance. Stories from othel
s lands have great charm for youns
:. people and children. There is TO
= them the novelty of learning abou